Niki Anderson ~ Author & Speaker

After 10 months of blogging once monthly on topics ranging from “Reality Book Signings” to “Plucking Peaches,” I’m yearning to share with you my pursuit of God-centered balance.

       Always confronting my own imbalance as I manage the bits and chunks of life, in coming blogs I’ll share solutions I’ve proved reliable. Like recognizing where I’m headed.

       At Christmas I gave my son and daughter-in-law the gift of 10 ethnic dinners. This month, we rendezvous to France via Boeuf Bourguignon, Provencal side dishes, Perrier, and bread, followed by a dessert of poached pears and chocolate sauce that would make Julia Child proud. Did I mention? I'm the cook!

       If that’s not enough, my resistance to mediocrity insisted I offer background music from Maurice Chevalier, buy my husband a beret, and seat my guests at a café table, and….and…and.

       Check! I realized where my enthusiasm was headed. Just how much time did I have for this soirée? Researching for recipes and conducting taste-trials were a sensible limit.

       I recovered my balance by returning where I started—in the kitchen with the beef and the pears and the original plan to host only an authentic meal.

       A survey by national teacher and author, Beth Moore, reveals that the sticky-wicket of balance persists as one among the top challenges for women. Facing the truth of lifestyle imbalance causes guilt, frustration, and even stagnation. How do we get beyond that trio of defeat?

       Balance is NOT a little of this and a little of that, with not too much of anything focused in only one place. Balance IS a sufficient amount of emphasis in a variety of the places where God has you assigned for the season.

       Balance your life. Caveat for the fervent; reduce your overload or fall under its weight. Caution for the fearful; increase your load or fall short of life’s best.

       If you hear the beckoning call to balance, stay with me this year as we lessen our teetering on the balance beam of life and even gain some grace while walking it.

       In my next post, we’ll answer the frustrations of the overloaded. Below are eight common replies from those struggling to shrink their commitments.

       In following posts, we’ll discuss the fears of the UN-committed. In the meantime, decide where you identify in the list below, and tune in for the next blog. I'll address each objection quoted.

“But I’ve already cut out a lot of things!”

“I do nothing unnecessary yet I’m still overrun!”

“I ought to be able to do as much as I see others doing.”

“My organizations expect its members to participate?”

“If I bypass opportunities in business or ministry, I’m a fool!”

“Despite my exhaustion, I enjoy all my activities!”

“My church always needs more volunteers.”

“My family depends on me; I can’t let them down.”

February site content: MEOW-cellaneous page with pictures of your cats. About Cats page – “The Cats of Venice” and “Stickers that Save Your Cat’s Life.”

Where I'm speaking: Waterford on south hill, 2929 S. Waterford Dr. (one block south of 29th Ave.) in the lobby at 2:00 pm on Monday, Feb. 8.

Harvard Park Retirement Residence, 3616 E. 30th Ave. at 3:30 pm on Wed., Feb. 10.

Cat Art: French impressionist, Auguste-Pierre Renoir, painted “Woman with a Cat” in 1875. I own a cherished print from a big-box-store which hangs in my living room. The cat looks remarkably like Claw-dia, our Maine Coon, and the woman resembles my daughter. Even others have noticed.

Copyright 2010, Niki Anderson; request permission

     Among my treasured collectibles is a small autograph book from the 1930s. The sentiments are penned with ink from a well and signed by those as far away as Cornwall. Many are poems, likely drawn from memory. Some are moralistic, and all are thoughtful. A few prompt a smile but most are serious musings, love rhymes, and good wishes.

       Last week, I picked up the coverless book and reread some entries. Each is dated and ends with a graceful signature. Two are titled. One is named “Eternity” and the one below is called “Life.” With a new year ahead, this inscription snagged my attention.

Life is a book in volumes three,

The past, the present, the yet-to-be.

The first is finished and laid away.

The second is with us every day.

But the third and the last of volumes three,

Is locked from our sight and

God keeps the key.

B. Sowell

St. Keverne, Cornwall

       Like an author, I love this concept of life as three books. One past, one present, one “locked from our sight.”

       Book one. The past—pleasingly memorable or painfully regrettable. Much like the occasional volume I wish I hadn’t read or the novel I’ll cherish always.

       Book two. The present. That which “is with us every day.” The pages of now. The present volume is our most valuable asset. Realizing that years ago, I crafted my mission statement to include five of its ten words about the present: “To love and serve God, one day at a time.” The Psalmist also emphasized the present. “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” The present is the most influential of all three books. It constitutes my past and is yesterday’s future.

       Book three. The future. Other than necessary planning, I don’t pry into an imaginary future. I speculate, yes, and sometimes I fret. Though curious, I’m grateful the future is sealed. Its gladness and sadness remain a mystery. I’m spared fear of its troubles and reserved clueless to its pleasant surprises. Though “yet-to-be,” it could be the best book yet, and wisely saved for the end.

       All three volumes rest on our shelves. If I could sign your autograph book this first day of 2010, I’d wish you the best volume three of your life—one day at a time.

Here and now are the coordinates for living in the moment with God. What is the hardest thing for you at the start of every day?

With Christmas day soon ahead, Heather reminds us where to focus our affections. (Photo from FLICKR)

     For Heather, a black and white cat, Christmas was more than a season to anticipate a catnip mouse wrapped in red tissue under the tree. She taught everyone in the Simons' household a lasting lesson about Christmas.

     That year, Mrs. Simons purchased a creche. She and her children arranged each figure in the nativity while Heather watched nearby. Young Jolene Simons suspected Heather would be curious about the miniature family, shepherds and animals.

     "Heather looks pretty interested, Mom." Mrs. Simons nodded. But Heather waited for a later hour to do her sacred investigation of the holiday attraction.

     The creche was complete when Jolene laid a tiny facsimile of an infant in the barn-style bassinet. The holy family and the attending shepherds stood beside the manger in poses of adoration.

     The following morning the children hurried to the tree and plugged in the cord that lit the colored bulbs. But one of the children hesitated to admire the creche, and noticed. "Mom, baby Jesus is missing!"

     A thorough search of the house revealed the culprit. Kitty Heather had enjoyed a silent night with the Christ child snuggled under her chin. Jolene snatched the figure from the surprised cat and returned it to the manger.

     The following morning, the children found Heather with baby Jesus nestled between her paws. As before, Jolene returned the infant to the straw bed.

     On the third morning, the family suspected Heather would not likely be chewing curling ribbon adorning Christmas gifts or swatting at tree ornaments, or sniffing the fresh scent of pine boughs. Heather was focused on one thing only--the babe in the manger. She lay near the creche with the figure of Christ tucked under her neck.

     As Mrs. Simons looked on with the children, she seized the opportunity to reinforce the lesson Heather had demonstrated. "It looks like Heather is focused on the true meaning of Christmas," she said. "Not the tinsel; not the traditions. Maybe all of us need to place more emphasis on the birth of God's Son--the real celebrity of Christmas."

     The Simons children liked the suggestion that Heather had set a good example. Heather established the rightful prominence of the Christ child.

     Festivities intended to celebrate a person often distract from the person being commemorated. Even candy canes and poinsettias can divert attention from Jesus. Let's keep the em-paw-sis in the right place as we celebrate Christ's birthday this week.  

Niki Anderson, copyright 1999

     While newscasters report the controversy about wishing people “Merry Christmas” or the alternate, “Happy Holidays”, I’m baffled. I’ll accept well-wishes of any sort. If it’s a Monday, I even appreciate, “Happy housecleaning, Niki!”

     Let’s not miss the spirit of the season with petty diversions about greetings. Who isn’t in favor of merriment? Wish me Merry Christmas! And of course, the happiest of days are holy days! God grant us Happy Holidays!

     My goal is to mix up merriment with holiness, and scatter well-wishes toward all. Five questions I’ve asked myself may also help you to keep the days cheery and sacred.

1. Am I remembering those commonly forgotten at Christmas?

The unemployed, the widow, the homebound; I’ll be visiting one dear person in each of these categories.

2. Am I respecting my gift budget?

Leave the credit card at home. Among new items, I’m also giving a couple 2nd hand books, some personal treasures, and selecting less non-essentials and more single gifts of “just-what-you-wanted.”

3. Am I over-extending my energy at the expense of body and peace?

Not a holy way to celebrate. It’s possible, really, to bake, invite, visit, and gift people in January, if you run out of time by December 24th.

4. Have I read the Christmas story yet? Luke 2:1-20

Don’t wait until the Christmas worship service. Ponder the scriptures now and share new insights with others at those holy-day parties. (My own fresh reminder? Angels don’t lie!)

5. What gift have I given to Jesus?

It’s his birthday, not ours. Make sure Jesus gets the biggest present of all by giving to someone in need.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holy Days!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

     I've always had a conviction about solutions. God’s got’em.

       As a teen, I was taught to face conundrums of life with the attitude that God knows the pathway out of bad patches. On the lighter side, he led me out of a thorny one, just lately.

       Did you know? His solutions apply even for methods of removing wallpaper—specifically, its extrication from the east wall of Bob’s and my master bedroom.

       Traditional solutions failed to loosen the dated décor. For starters, I tugged gently at a corner curled away from a seam, and grimaced as the strip only narrowed, its two layers separating and clinging to the wallboard (wallflowers do that, don’t they!). It was the first of failed attempts.

       So I visited my DIY friend, Sherwin-Williams, and asked for advice. “You’ll need a scoring tool,” Sherwin explained. “It perforates the paper so your solution penetrates the backside and breaks down the adhesive.”

       With sweeping round circles, I scored the 8x16 feet wall, preparing it for a mix of hot water and vinegar that I sprayed generously. Yet n'ary a bubble of loosened paper gave me hope. The only result was an aqua stream of moisture weeping down the wall and dampening my carpet.

       The following day, I returned with my report to Sherwin, the Williams guy. He furrowed his brows. “Hmmmmm,” he sung, as he led me to an enzyme product nicknamed DIF (An abbreviation for difficult?). “This gel dissolves adhesive." Purportedly, that is. I laid out a twenty-dollar bill and left, armed with a container of blue gel and a good amount of my “God-has-a-solution” faith.

       I saturated the wall with DIF(ficulty) and waited the prescribed 20 minutes, only to discover the punctured paper remained tenacious in its grip. About that time, I addressed God. “You always have a solution, Lord. I’m wasting time, money, and energy. Whadda-I-do next?”

       I returned to Sherwin’s. “Try this DIF concentrate, and mix it triple strength. No charge,” he said. Off I went.

       Feeling sure the concentrate would be God’s solution, I waited again the recommended 20 minutes.

       To my dismay (and other emotions), the triple strength enzyme dried quickly and activated like a glue, not a solvent. "Hmmmm." I wasn't singing.

       Steam was the last option. I rented a heavy metal (not as in music) contraption. An ungainly, big and heavy, red metal container, with a long black hose, side-mounted glass tube and two sizes of flat steam dispensers. I suspect it's a relative of R2d2. Bob and I went to work.

       To our amazement, the sticky wallboard conceded at last to free the paper from its 15-year union with the pink and blue flowers on my wall! As it gave way with ease, Bob and I sighed and smiled, while thanking God for the right solution! At last.

       Finding solutions requires patience, counsel, work and optimism. But when God is leading the search, you’re sure to hit on the right solution, be it blue gel, or stubborn trust that clings to his love when life is DIF-ficult.

"BLESSED is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7